Traversed the ridge after Hayden. Lots of small-large Uinta boulder hoping along the ridge before pausing at the saddle for the rain clear out. Scrambled to the top pretty quickly for fear of more rain on its way but was greeted by blue skies at the top. There were hundreds of sheep in the basin and there baaahs echoed throughout the ridge and summits. Really fun day.

From Highline trail to the south ridge. Perfect day had the cloud cover the whole way to the south ridge. Sun came out for the summit. Then enjoyed a sunset through the trees on the way out. Started around 2 pm and finished around 6 pm. Was a perfect day for this one. Loved the views of Hayden, Kletting and A1 from the summit of this guy. What a way to spend a Sunday.

Climbed a number of years ago by cutting of the trail near Scudder Lake. I enjoyed going cross country through the forest and meadows almost as much as summiting the peak. I would love to go back soon and do the trip over to Hayden Peak at the same time.

The approach from Hayden Pass is by far prefered, the two "notches" encountered provide both interesting solid scrambling and a perfect framing for the lakes below with Spread Eagle in the background. After ascending we descended to the saddle to the west and then down to the forest to hook up with the highline trail without much difficulty, a great climb with good weather.

Up West Ridge, down gully to Naturalist BasinDate Climbed: Jul 31, 2006

Turned off the Highline trail and hiked directly up the ridge. On the way down, turned off the ridge and descended a gully to Naturalist Basin, stopped by Blue Lake, and came around back out the Highline trail. Went with the people who three days prior had become my parents-in-law. Nice peak; it is actually my first 12,000-er (the first of hopefully many higher ones to come, but most of my experience is in the Wasatch). A month previous, I had gotten engaged in the basin on the other side, amidst great views of snow filling the gullies between the cliffs that form its eastern (as far as I remember) flanks.

I have been up this peak from Christmas Meadows several times, but in August, 2004, I did a loop run from the Highline TH, going to Naturalist Basin, ascending the ridge to Spread Eagle and then running down the ridge to Agassiz. From Agassiz I descended NW and reconnected with the Highlind Trail somewhere near Scudder Lake. I tried to repeat August 2006 but was chased off the ridge by hail and lightning.

This hike was a lot more difficult than anticipated. With only ~ 2,200' of elevation I thought it would be a walk in the park. But don't let it fool you, this is one steep hike that I found very challenging. But it is also a very awesome mountain to summit. Go early to avoid storms, you're above tree line for a long time.